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Born on the Cape Verde Islands off the west coast of Africa, Nani and his family had moved to Lisbon where he started his career at Real Sport Clube de Massamá on the outskirts of the city. He joined Sporting Lisbon FC and came through their youth Academy - a route previously taken by Ronaldo and Luis Figo. Having made his debut as an 18-year-old, Nani became a part of the first-team squad at the start of the 2005/06 season and soon got his chance to impress.
Since then the fleet-footed livewire, who celebrates each goal he scores with a back flip, has gone from strength to strength with club and country. He scored on his first appearance for Portugal against Denmark in September and also caught the eye with a wonderful effort in the Champions League against Spartak Moscow this season.
In the 2006/2007 season, he made 29 appearances for the first team scoring five goals and helped Sporting to win the Portuguese Cup last season.
Nani had been linked with a move to Manchester United for months in 2007 ever since he stated it would be a "dream" to play with Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, Carlos Queiroz needed to move quickly when it became clear Tottenham were also stepping up their interest in the predominantly wide player.
Upon signing he said "The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world and it will be a big challenge. I am prepared to go to England because I believe I will progress there."
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Portuguese football journalist Miguel Padayda told BBC Sport: "He plays more or less in the same position of the pitch as Ronaldo does but he is not as fast. He had some problems this year at Sporting because he thought he was underpaid and wanted more money, but now he has a big contract. He will have to adapt to the English game and will need to wait a few months until he gets his chance."
In Nani's first year at Old Trafford he proved to be a lot more regular name on the teamsheet than many would have expected, playing in 41 matches with 26 as a starter. While countryman Ronaldo overshadowed him he still impressed with his speed and willingness to take on and beat opposing players.
His first goal for United was a spectacular long range goal against Spurs on 26th August and he scored a similar strike against Middlesbrough a month later in a 4-1 win. He also bagged memorable goals versus Liverpool in the 3-0 home win and against Arsenal in the FA Cup 4-0 win.
In the Arsenal game he famously showboated by juggling the ball to taunt the losing Gunners. He was criticised for doing so by Sir Alex Ferguson but the fans loved it.A mischevious streak runs through the young Portuguese winger but he is also cool under pressure as shown in the penalty shoot-out with Chelsea in the Champions League final in Moscow where he scored with is spot kick.
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